N※N

Rams to hold competition for starting linebacker spot ahead of Week 6 | Sporting News

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. nebacker-spot-ahead-of-week-6-sporting-news.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, October 9th 2025 at 16:00 GMT by Sporting News
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

2025-10-09 275 x 183 / 10850 Bytes

2025-10-09 300 x 168 / 14551 Bytes

2025-10-09 275 x 183 / 12442 Bytes

Rams Hold Competition for Starting Linebacker Spot Ahead of Week 6

As the Los Angeles Rams prepare for the week‑6 showdown, the coaching staff has announced that two linebackers will battle for the starting spot in the defensive backfield. The decision, which could shape the Rams’ defensive identity for the rest of the season, is the latest example of the front‑office’s willingness to let talent and performance dictate the lineup rather than sticking with veteran incumbents.

The Players on the Lineup

Kevin Johnson – A veteran with the Rams since 2018, Johnson has been a key contributor on the defensive side. In the 2022 season, he finished with 54 total tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. Johnson’s experience and familiarity with the system make him a natural candidate for the starting role.

Cam’Ron Fletcher – The rookie linebacker out of Clemson was signed as a 2023 undrafted free agent and has already shown flashes of the big‑game potential the Rams were looking for. Fletcher, who posted 12 tackles and a sack in the preseason, is known for his speed and coverage ability. The Rams’ coaching staff say his agility could be a good fit for a hybrid linebacker role in a 4‑3 scheme.

The article notes that the two players will continue to compete in the upcoming training camp and pre‑season games, but the decision will ultimately be made before the Week 6 matchup. The coaching staff said they are looking for the player who can best lock down the middle of the field and keep the ball in his hands.

Why It Matters

The Rams’ defense is still in a transition phase. The 2022 season saw the team struggle against the run, ranking 29th in rushing defense. With a new defensive coordinator and a revamped front line, the Rams have been looking for a way to tighten up the middle. As the Rams face a high‑scoring offense in Week 6, a solid linebacker play will be vital to keep the opposition from gaining ground.

“We’ve got a lot of pieces coming together, and the linebacker position is a key part of that,” said head coach Sean McVay. “We’re going to let the guys prove themselves on the field. The right starter will be the one who can read the offense, make the tackles, and give us the flexibility we need against a dynamic offense.”

The competition also has ripple effects for the rest of the roster. A strong linebacker at the center of the defense can allow the defensive line to play a more aggressive pass‑rushing role, giving the Rams’ front line the ability to pressure the quarterback without losing too many run‑stopping responsibilities.

A Look at the Numbers

The article provides a quick statistical snapshot of both players. Kevin Johnson has 2.0 sacks and 1 forced fumble over the last 12 games, while Cam’Ron Fletcher, in a small sample of 3 preseason games, posted 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, and 14 tackles. Despite the limited sample size, Fletcher’s ball‑hawking ability has drawn praise from analysts who say he has the “instinct” to get into the pocket.

The coaching staff highlighted that the decision will be based not only on raw stats but also on game‑day readiness. “It’s about who can step into the game and stay focused for a 60‑minute shift,” McVay said. “We’re looking for the player who can maintain intensity throughout the game and adjust to the opposing play‑calling.”

The Broader Context

The article also points out that the Rams have been making moves in the secondary and on the defensive line to address the weaknesses exposed last season. In a separate Sporting News story (link to “Rams sign defensive end for depth”), the Rams added a 4‑year contract with defensive end Isaiah Peguero to give the linebackers more space to operate in coverage. The combination of a strong pass rush and a versatile linebacker core could give the Rams the edge they need against the offensive weapons they face this week.

Additionally, the Rams’ front office has been active on the free‑agent market. A Sporting News article linked within the story notes that the Rams have acquired a veteran linebacker from a rival team for salary‑cap reasons. While the newly acquired player isn’t part of the current competition, the presence of that depth means that Johnson and Fletcher will also be evaluated against a larger pool of talent, further emphasizing the need for consistent performance.

What to Watch for

Fans will want to keep an eye on the following:

1. Practice Performance – As the Rams fine‑tune their defensive playbook, both Johnson and Fletcher will be tested on how they execute on the field, especially in coverage and run support.
2. Injury Updates – The Rams have suffered a few injuries over the past month. The coaching staff will have to decide whether the starting role goes to a veteran who can bring stability or a rookie who can help reduce the workload on other defensive players.
3. Coaching Adjustments – Head coach McVay is known for adapting his system to fit the players he has. If Fletcher is chosen, the Rams may adopt a hybrid 3‑4 scheme to maximize his coverage skills. If Johnson is the starter, the defense will likely stick to a traditional 4‑3 format.

Final Thoughts

In the end, the Rams’ decision on the linebacker position will not just fill a spot on the depth chart – it will define the defensive philosophy the team will bring to the field for the rest of the season. The competition between Kevin Johnson and Cam’Ron Fletcher encapsulates the Rams’ approach to roster building: give players a chance to earn their roles, and then build around the performance. The outcome will play out in a few weeks of practice and pre‑season action, but by Week 6, the Rams will know who is lining up at the top of the middle, ready to help stop the run and make the tough tackles that keep an offense off the field.

For the full roster and player stats, the article links to the Rams’ official NFL.com roster page and a detailed defensive depth chart. Those resources provide a deeper dive into the personnel who will shape the Rams’ defensive strategy moving forward.